Sabot bullet

ABSTRACT

An improved sabot bullet particularly designed for loading in a standard shotgun shell. The bullet is provided with a diametrically constructed portion intermediate its ends, and the sabot segments are provided with matching and complementary inner surfaces so that axial stresses or pressures created during firing on the sabot segments and/or the bullet are readily transferred from one to the other.

United States atet 91 Kelly et a1.

11] 332mm [4 1 Apr. 16,1973

[ 1 SABOT BULLET [75] Inventors: Ward L. Kelly; William L. McAlvain, both of Sebastopol, Calif.

[73] Assignee: Ballistic Research Industries, San

Francisco, Calif. by said Kelly [22] Filed: May 18, 1970 [2]] Appl. No.: 38,102

[52] US. Cl. .102/93, 102/38, 102/921 [51] Int. Cl. ..F42b 13/16 [58] Field of Search 102/93, 38, 92.1,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,306,140 12/1942 Reed 102/93 3,157,126 11/1964 Blondeau ..102/38 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 777,324 6/1957 Great Britain ..102/92.1

Primary ExaminerR0bert F. Stahl Att0rneyCushman, Darby & Cushman [57] ABSTRACT An improved sabot bullet particularly designed for loading in a standard shotgun shell. The bullet is provided with a diametrically constructed portion intermediate its ends, and the sabot segments are provided with matching and complementary inner surfaces so that axial stresses or pressures created during firing on the sabot segments and/or the bullet are readily transferred from one to the other.

10 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEU 3,726,231

u INVENTORS WARD L. KELLY WILLIAM L. McALVAlN ATTORNEY SABOT BULLET BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Sabot is a commonly used ordnance term to define a sleeve, shim or other support to center a sub-caliber projectile in a gun bore. Upon firing, the sabot is intended to separate from the projectile after the assembly leaves the gun muzzle. A number of different sabot systems have been developed, but it has been found that such systems are not suitable for use in a shotgun, i.e., where it is desired to use a single subcaliber bullet and a sabot loaded into a standard shotshell. While the following description may make specific reference to shotguns and/or shotgun shells, it is not intended that the invention be so limited.

Some of the problems encountered in providing a sabot bullet for a shotgun include the fact that there exist uncertain and non-standardized variations in shotgun bore diameters, length, configurations and interior taper or choke. The shellcase diameter will normally exceed the bore diameter or the choke, and therefore any load component, e.g., projectile, wadding, sabot etc., must either be of a lesser diameter than the minimum choke diameter, or be formed of a material which may compress or otherwise be capable of deformable flow to pass through the choke.

Another problem that must be considered is that if a sub-caliber bullet is loaded in a shotshell over a conventional wad column, the inertia of the bullet will cause it to penetrate the wadding when the shell is fired. However, even if a suitable wad material was available, which would avoid penetration due to the bullet inertia, the same inertia or setback forces would deform a projectile made of lead or a lead alloy, thereby necessitating a steel bullet which sacrifices density and ease of fabrication.

The setback forces which would deform a projectile are substantial, and if a shotgun projectile is only supported around its circumference with a sabot of desirably light weight and compressible material, the inertial forces have been heretofore considered an unsolvable problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a sabot bullet is provided which may be readily fired in a standard shotgun shell. The bullet-sabot configuration and relationship is such that about one-half of the face of the wadding is covered by the base of the bullet and the other half covered by the base of the sabot. The greater portion of the force imposed upon the sabot base is transferred to the forward portion of the bullet. Also, with matching and complementary confronting surfaces on the bullet and sabot, all axial forces resulting from setback are distributed evenly. This is generally accomplished by providing the bullet exterior with a medial portion of reduced diameter and also be larger than the diameter of the barrel. In addi tion, the chamber of the gun may be of uncertain length as may the forcing cone. The sabot-bullet by this expansion of the sabot segments, maintains a snug fit while traveling through these uncertain and varying tolerances. This is a desirable function of any payload (projectile, shot, slug, etc.) in a shotgun, otherwise the wadding may not effectively seal the propelling gases.

A further function of setback or inertial forces acting upon the engaged inclined surfaces of the bullets exterior and the sabots interior, is the unmistakable tendency of this action toward centering the mass of the bullet in the exact center of the bore. While previous shotgun projectiles have been designed to compress or swage down as they passed through the choke of a shotgun, there has been no design provision to ensure they would do so evenly and keep their mass centered in the bore.

As thesabot-bullet travels down a shotgun bore, a point may be reached where the propellent has been entirely burned or at least is no longer effectively generating propelling gas. At this point, interior bore pressures will drop rapidly and the sabot-bullet will cease accelerating. Since the circumferential surface of the sabot is in contact with the gun bore, the resulting friction will make the sabot tend to travel more slowly than the bullet. In this circumstance, it will encounter a setforward" instead of a setback of the bullet. Now the inclined surfaces on the rearward portion of the bullet and sabot become active again. Previously, these surfaces were active in keeping the bullet positioned and secured in the loaded shellcase and to keep the bullet from being moved forward in the sabot by surge pressures or the priming charge during the resistance the shot encounters while opening the shotshell crimp and/or entering the forcing cone.

As the bullet moves forward in the sabot, the bulletsabot is prevented from premature separation. Also, the rear inclined surfaces now perform the function of centering the bullets mass in the bore, and keeping the sabot segments spread into a snug, accuracy enhancing bore fit.

In addition to the foregoing, it is essential that the sabot-bullet leave the muzzle as a stable single projectile so as to avoid any tumbling tendency, and the assembly of the present invention is weight stable. Next, after leaving the muzzle, it is necessary that the sabot segments separate from the bullet without imparting an uneven force as they drop away. With the present construction, the sabot segments, after initial opening, can only have contact with the bullet at a point rearward of the bullets center of balance. Further, the segments are so constructed that as they open and begin to fall away, they will continue to turn outward and thus will not disrupt the stabilizing air flow over the bullet.

The'bullet itself is constructed to not only cooperate with the sabot segments as above described, but is itself stabilized with its center of balance or center of gravity positioned forwardly of its geometric center. Additionally, the bullet is aerodynamically stabilized, i.e., the least surface is presented to the air in straight forward flight.

THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a conventional shotgun shell loaded with the sabot bullet of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the bullet and sabot segments shortly after leaving the muzzle of a shotgun.

FIG. 3 is an end view of the base of the bullet and sabot segments.

DESCRIPTION With the features of the present invention hereinabove stated in the Summary of the Invention, the following is a description of an extremely simple, but practical embodiment of such invention.

In broad terms, the assembly of this invention includes a bullet and a plurality of sabot segments 12, here shown as two in number, but it should be apparent to those schooled in the art that a larger number of segments could be provided. When in its operative assembled condition for firing, i.e., with the segments 12 positioned adjacent and around the bullet, the assembly is adapted for loading in a conventional shotgun shell 14 in place of the usual slugs or pellets.

A standard shotshell includes a circular base 16, and a tubular body 17 terminating at its leading or forward end with an inwardly crimped curl 18 which holds the bullet and sabot assembly in the body. The charge is positioned in the shell chamber 22 adjacent base 16 and forwardly of the charge is wadding 24 which transfers the explosive charge force to the projectile in the chamber.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawing, the length of the bullet 10 and sabot 12 is such that they extend between the forward surface of the wad column 24 and the rear surface of cover 20. The outer diameter of the sabot segments when assembled in the bullet will permit ready insertion of the assembly in the shell body 17 with a minimum of play therebetween.

Referring now to the bullet 10, best illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawing, it will be seen to comprise a generally cylindrical body having a leading end 30 and a base 32. The body is radially constructed as indicated at 34 at a transverse plane closer to the base than the leading end, with the body tapering or diverging outwardly and forwardly as shown at 36 towards end 30 and likewise tapering or diverging outwardly and rearwardly as shown at 38 towards base 32. Taper 38 could continue to the base, but for aerodynamic considerations terminates in a short cylindrical body portion 40 adjacent the base. The foregoing construction results in an aerodynamically stable projectile whose center of gravity is positioned forwardly of the center of the geometric mass. Preferably the rear end portion of the bullet is hollow, as indicated in FIG. 1, and a plug 42 of epoxy, plastic or the like is inserted therein.

The sabot is of generally annular configuration, as indicated in FIG. 3, with each of the two segments 12 extending for approximately one-half the circumference thereof. The inner surface of the segments match and are complementary to the outer adjacent portions of the bullet, thus having a forward tapered portion 44, a rear tapered portion 46, a cylindrical portion 48, and an annular base 50 coplanar with the bullet base 32.

The forward end portions of the segments are provided with shoulders 52, thus radially spacing the distal annular end 54 of the segments from the frustro-conical nose 56 of the bullet. The outer surface 58 of each segment is here shown as a segment of a cylinder, but if desired, the segments could be formed of uniform thickness, and in such case, the outer surface would follow the inner surface. Irrespective of the outer configuration it is of course essential that at least a portion of the segments in one or more transverse planes maintain a snug fit when passing through the gun bore, which as previously mentioned, is prerequisite of any payload.

It will also be noted in FIG. 3 that the confronting edges of adjacent segments define a gap 60 therebetween. This gap, which may be in the neighborhood of 0.020 inches, permits a diametrical construction of the segments, which are preferably formed of a plastic material, to pass through the choke of the gun. A flow of material could also be attained where the segments have a uniform thickness. By way of explanation, a typical 12 gauge shotgun has a 0.729 inch bore, and might have a choke l.D. ranging from 0.729 inches (no choke) down to 0.680 inches (full choke). For use with a 12 gauge shotgun shell, the sabot bullet of this invention would have an assembled CD. of 0.725 inches, would expand to approximately the ID. of the bore diameter as it travels therealong, and due to the plasticity of the sabot material and/or the provision of gap 60 can pass through the ID. of even a full choke.

With the sabot bullet loaded in the shotgun shell 14, and upon firing, a portion of the propulsion force is exerted on the base 32 of the bullet and the other portion exerted on the annular base 50 of the sabot, the exact apportionment of forces can be varied by the diameter of the bullet or its base area. For example, with a .50 caliber bullet in a 12 gauge shell, there results a substantial equal division of propulsion force on the bullet and on the sabot segments. Due to the interengagement of the .bullet taper 36 and the sabot taper 44, the greater portion of the force exerted on the sabot base will be transferred to the forward portion of the bullet, a desired feature to overcome the setback forces on the heavier bullet. Such tapered surfaces also cause the sabot segments to spread under setback forces to insure a proper snug fit of the assembly in traveling through the gun barrel.

During the set forward phase of travel, as previously explained, the rear tapered surfaces 38 of the bullet and 46 of the sabot are effective to prevent the bullet from travelling faster than the sabot which has a frictional drag load imparted to it by contact with the gun bore. Such rear surfaces further center the bullets mass in the bore and maintain the sabot segments spread to maintain a snug fit with the bore.

When the assembly leaves the muzzle 64 of the shotgun, the segments 12 will readily fall away from the bullet 10 without imparting any uneven force to the bullet, and without affecting the airflow over the bullet. With the slightest opening of the segments, the only further contact that a segment can have with the bullet is as a point rearwardly of the bullets center of balance. Prior to any separation, the sabot and bullet assembly is weight stable. The construction of each sabot segment, considered as a projectile itself, is stable with its original leading edge to the rear. Thus, as the segments open and begin to'depart from the bullet, they will continue to turn outward and not disrupt the stabilizing airflow over the bullet.

We claim:

1. A sabot bullet assembly comprising:

a bullet,

a plurality of sabot segments,

said segments generally axially contacting said bullet,

said bullet having axially spaced outer surface portions defining at least two axial load transfer means,

each of said segments having axially spaced inner surface portions defining at least two tapering axial load transfer means,

said inner and outer surface portions complementary to and contacting with each other to provide for relative wedging movement therebetween,

one of said tapering axial load transfer means of said bullet and segments being forwardly diverging tapers, and the second of said tapering axial load transfer means being rearwardly diverging tapers,

the arrangement being such that the segments will be wedged outwardly from the bullet uponrelative rearwardly or forwardly movement between the bullet and segments.

2. A sabot bullet as defined in claim 1 in which the center of gravity of said bullet is positioned forwardly of the geometric center thereof.

3. A sabot bullet as defined in claim 1 in which said sabot segments define at one end thereof a generally annular base and said bullet has a transaxial base coplanar with said annular base of said segments.

4. A sabot bullet as defined in claim 3 in which the area of each of said bases is substantially equal.

5. A sabot bullet as defined in claim 4 in which said bullet has a recess extending to said base, and a plug of material inserted in said recess.

6. A sabot bullet as set forth in claim 1 in which said segments are provided with longitudinally extending confronting edge portions with a gap therebetween.

7. A sabot bullet as defined in claim 1, including a shotgun shell, said bullet and said segments being positioned in said shell and each extending from the wad column thereof to the forward end of the shell, and the outer surfaces of said segments engaging the inner surface of said shell.

8. A sabot bullet as defined in claim 1 in which said tapers converge at a diametrically restricted waist portion disposed rearwardly of the center of gravity of the bullet.

9. A sabot bullet as defined in claim 1 in which said segments cooperate to define an annular base, and said bullet has a transaxial base generally coplanar with the segment base.

10. A sabot bullet assembly as defined in claim 1 in which said sabot segments define at the opposite end thereof a shoulder radially spaced from a forward end of the bullet whereby said spacing promotes said segments to readily fall away from the bullet after exiting from a muzzle without disturbing the airflow over the bullet. 

1. A sabot bullet assembly comprising: a bullet, a plurality of sabot segments, said segments generally axially contacting said bullet, said bullet having axially spaced outer surface portions defining at least one tapering axial load transfer means, each of said segments having axially spaced inner surface portions defining at least one tapering axial load transfer means, said inner and outer surface portions complementary to and contacting with each other so as to provide for relative wedging movement therebetween, one of said complementary load transfer means on said bullet and on each said segment being effective to transfer an uneven axial load on said bullet and segment in one direction of relative wedging movement between the segment and the bullet to thereby effectuate a seal for escaping gas pressure from power ignition and to center the bullet.
 2. A sabot bullet as defined in claim 1 in which said tapering axial load transfer means of said bullet include a forwardly diverging taper, and a rearwardly diverging taper, and said segments have inner surfaces provided with matching and complementary tapers.
 3. A sabot bullet as defined in claim 1 in which the center of gravity of said bullet is positioned forwardly of the geometric center thereof.
 4. A sabot bullet as defined in claim 1 in which said sabot segments define at one end thereof a generally annular base and said bullet has a transaxial base coplanar with said annular base of said segments.
 5. A sabot bullet as defined in claim 4 in which the area of each of said bases is substantially equal.
 6. A sabot bullet as defined in claim 5 in which saiD bullet has a recess extending to said base, and a plug of material inserted in said recess.
 7. A sabot bullet as set forth in claim 2 in which said segments are provided with longitudinally extending confronting edge portions with a gap therebetween.
 8. A sabot bullet as defined in claim 1, including a shotgun shell, said bullet and said segments being positioned in said shell and each extending from the wad column thereof to the forward end of the shell, and the outer surfaces of said segments engaging the inner surface of said shell.
 9. A sabot bullet as defined in claim 2 in which said tapers converge at a diametrically restricted waist portion disposed rearwardly of the center of gravity of the bullet.
 10. A sabot bullet as defined in claim 1 in which said segments cooperate to define an annular base, and said bullet has a transaxial base generally coplanar with the segment base.
 11. A sabot bullet assembly as defined in claim 1 in which said inner and outer surface portions include a second tapering axial load transfer means on said bullet and on each said segment being effective to transfer an uneven axial load on said bullet and segment in the opposite direction of relative wedging movement between the segment and the bullet to effectuate a seal for the escaping gas pressure and simultaneously center the bullet.
 12. A sabot bullet assembly as defined in claim 1 in which said sabot segments define at the opposite end thereof a shoulder radially spaced from a forward end of the bullet whereby said spacing promotes said segments to readily fall away from the bullet after exiting from a muzzle without disturbing the airflow over the bullet. 